disingenuous

adjective

Definition of disingenuousnext
as in dishonest

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disingenuous Considering the company’s offensive, race-swapping AI ads are being pushed on unsuspecting users on social media, that promise feels mightily disingenuous. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026 Rhythm & Roux To call this book—centered around the legendary Bayou Bar—a cookbook, is a bit disingenuous. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2026 That does not necessarily mean that this CEO is being disingenuous. — Gwen Mdinaradze, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026 With the salary increases and more opportunities, the federation no longer has a choice but to support its players joining the WNBA, otherwise risk appearing disingenuous. — Eden Laase, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disingenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disingenuous
  1. dishonest
  2. deceitful
  3. untruthful
  4. contrived
  5. hypocritical
  6. unnatural
  7. devious
  8. assumed
Adjective
  • Given the extraordinary circumstances around this review, going anywhere else for photos felt almost dishonest.
    — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The debate also took on an edgy, deeply personal tone, as the candidates repeatedly accused each other of being dishonest or misleading.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • Throughout his time in the governor’s office, DeSantis has abused special sessions to force rushed and often deceitful debate (including the two days of meetings that produced the badly flawed Amendment 3 in the first place).
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Fielder grills Evans about this later in the film, explaining that receiving a portion of the film’s profits could jeopardize the integrity of the project and make the couple look deceitful.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of deceitful
Adjective
  • Those commitments can be withdrawn if Saab is untruthful with investigators or probation officials, commits another crime or otherwise violates the agreement.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
  • However, subsequent video evidence led officials to claim that the officers involved had likely made untruthful statements about what happened.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of untruthful
Adjective
  • Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • More bills in the G-string, like winning, like a casino, chance but something deeper, more contrived.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of contrived
Adjective
  • The fine was controversial to begin with, as fans and pundits pointed out the NFL’s business with beer sponsors such as Bud Light and called the sensitivity over the celebration hypocritical.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Adjective
  • Some movements feel unnatural, facial expressions are exaggerated, and small details occasionally fall into the uncanny valley or break rules of logical consistency.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But closer examination reveals that OpenAI’s proof builds its unnatural force in a totally distinct way.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • Dysert appeared as Sean Cudahy in 79 episodes of All My Children, from 1980-1990, a character described as a devious yet humorous con man and villain, who contrasted sharply with his brother, good guy Tom Cudahy (played by Richard Shoberg).
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Salton is devious and untrustworthy, but is Batter’s only clear path to a promotion.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of devious
Adjective
  • Sales Cycle Duration Leaders must stress test the assumed duration of their sales cycle.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Since storming out of that horse in July, Christopher Nolan’s film has become the assumed Best Picture front-runner on the basis of its epic scale, strong reviews, and record-breaking grosses.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of assumed

Browse Nearby Words

disinformation
disingenuous
disinherit
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Cite this Entry

“Disingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disingenuous. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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